Wednesday, October 26, 2011

20 driving wheels

Yes, the holy place is never empty! Time all-wheel drive Lexus IS250 AWD does not deliver to Russia officially fill the niche "gray" importers who import machinery so-called "small batches." By the way, they can buy a more powerful rear-drive Lexus IS350, which is also missing in official price lists. Of course, the basic scale of the speedometer in cars from America - in miles, climate control operates degrees Fahrenheit, an audio system is set up on the American radio-frequency standard. But "Grey» Lexus apart wheel drive may have a rearview camera and navigation, and active cruise control, sunroof and ... But a Lexus IS250 is more expensive. If authorized dealers offer the most expensive rear-wheel drive car for $ 49,700, the "gray» IS250 AWD in a similar configuration costs $ 58,900. By the way, compare the prices of the ocean - $ 31,750 and $ 34,875 respectively. Still, these Americans are lucky! Against the background of European rivals Lexus IS250 is more than worthy. Swift Silhouette is a bit like BMW, and slanted headlights and a "fog" looks particularly impressive when a car flies through the snow-covered highway. By the way, the American Lighting Lexus does not conflict with Russian norms - the front "dimensions" white "turn signals" are flashing yellow. Inside - the realm of expensive leather and tasteful wood inserts and aluminum. But the most pleasing optitronnye devices - the numbers on them that the stars in the night sky, and when a certain speed or velocity scales flashing yellow or red rings. Very impressive! Not forgotten and ergonomics. Good steering wheel and pedals control the "automatic" - a pleasure, especially if you go into manual mode and use the paddle petals. The seat also did not disappoint - it is softer than the German cars, but distributes the load well. Moreover - Lexus IS was the first car in the class, which can be ventilated front seats! In general, drivers complain. But only if its height - up to 185 cm If more, you can and complain - the lack of space above your head. So stalwart buyers of the IS recommend at least ordering a car without a sunroof, which "eats" a few inches of precious space. Jaguar X-Type - a direct opposite of "Japanese": completely classic and retro. The four round headlamps, raised hood, a long flowing "tail" of the boot. Inside - a vertical front panel "in the tree" and the selector lever to "automatic", topped with knob shaped like an inverted pear (also wood). Moves the lever for a brand yaguarovskomu groove in the form of letters J. Not so convenient, but as stylish! The same can be said about the chair: not a good profile, range of adjustment is limited, but the "Divan" interior emphasizes the classic style. However, in the "old" yaguarovskom interior is modern and sensitive parts. For example, a large interactive display on the center console or power button electrical windshield. And in terms of ergonomics, the leader - Audi: at "our" two-liter turbosedane installed delightful sports Recaro seats with leather upholstery combination and Alcantara. Plus perfect bagel - with a leather rim and small tides under the right grip. You sit there like a glove! Mercedes is also good: instruments are beautiful, all the pedals, knobs and handles are pressed, turn to the pleasant well-considered effort. But the seat is softer, a little too big wheel diameter, the infamous single stalk switch is still overloaded with functions, and unit climate control is equipped with a small "blind" handles. All this and fix if mersedesovtsy, only on the next generation C-Class. While on the stalk lever giperfunktsionalnogo hardly refuse - a tradition ... BMW salon from the competition is "naked." Minimalism! Sports minimalism. Low rise, a little chubby steering wheel, selector lever is located high ... The front seat - the widest range of adjustment, while rear seat passengers - the largest margin of space. True, the low seating position have to "fall" - especially when the passengers sit in a BMW with a high curb. Jaguar, Mercedes and Lexus are approximately equal to the space behind the stock - they are less spacious. But the "Quartet» Audi in this test was the most closely - mainly because of the front sport seats with thick and stiff back, which "eat" place for your feet. Racks "Germans" are very similar. But when Mercedes and Audi carry full-length under the rug "chute", the BMW is not even "dokatku" - it replaces tires Run flat, where you can keep going even after a puncture. Noticeably smaller than the trunk of the Jaguar, but it is a big gap. But Lexus least suited for the transport of luggage - a huge wheel arches reduce storage capacity up to 368 liters. However, the racks right now, we are interested in the least. But "all-wheel drive" - ??the greatest! Last time, when we compared on a slippery road and BMW 525Xi Audi A6 quattro, won the "Five» BMW xDrive system with its plug-in automatically headstock, and "Six» Audi liked less. But the "lower class" situation has changed to the opposite - Audi A4 quattro rides better than the all-wheel drive "treshka"! Unfortunately, on the third series of "electronic» xDrive is not listening so well. If the input is not smoothed out in turn to ice, the car willingly zanyrivaet the arc - a good thing. But then control the car very difficult. Only the steering movements of the jewelry you can keep the car "in check". A little late with the correction - and BMW immediately "falls" into a skid. Do not have time to unscrew the steering wheel back - followed by a second swing and turn around 180 degrees. But the fourth series of the Audi on the ice - complete predictability. Yes, Chuck is a demolition, but it becomes significant only when a significant excess flow at the entrance to the bend. And if we approach the turn of the mind, the "Quartet" willingly, not resting, go down to the arc. On opening the throttle does not sink Audi into a skid and slip four-wheel drive with a slight "advantage" of the rear axle. Know hold the desired angle of lateral sliding rudder and throttle. Shine! Jaguar is also readily zanyrivaet in steep, very slippery corners, with an amazing response to the uniqueness of a smooth discharge of gas skid. Slips easily controlled by steering wheel. But traction control is causing problems - all the fault of over-drive zadempfirovanny accelerator and one-track "automatic", which soon moves to higher levels and slow to react to the kick-down. This is particularly annoying at the exit of the corners - it is time to actively accelerate, a Jaguar still "chewing" of transmission. And regimes Enforcement programs do not solve problems. Mercedes has "almost nondisconnectable" stabilization system, and there are no Japanese car of a button. So we traveled on the road especially with the inclusion of "stabilization" on all five machines, modeling with the most common mistakes on the slippery road - speeding on corner entry and search of a thrust to the exit. And from the standpoint of "teapot" we are most like Lexus. Thanks to the asymmetrical distribution of traction (30% of the front wheels and 70% rear), he is very willing to turn - and with a discharge gas, and under the hood. And then management takes over stabilization system - it is in its infancy and suppresses slip, giving the driver not to worry. Electronics seamlessly reduces fuel supply, retarding the wheel gently, directing the car to where the wheel is rotated. No unnecessary movements, no rushing on the highway - the car is just turning on the optimal trajectory. Do not gamble, but it is very safe, reliable and quite fast. Audi and Jaguar by the electronics do not go so smoothly - the stabilization system on these cars run rougher. The BMW DSC system is configured to trigger later - it allows for small drifts, allowing you to tickle your nerves. But mersedesovskaya ESP system like the least - she comes into work late in the day and dramatically. If you - an inexperienced driver, it might scare. And if you experienced - then anger. For example, Mercedes began to go into a skid. First Electronics silent, and when the driver takes the initiative in their own hands and begins to adjust the wheel skid, the ESP suddenly "wakes up". Nervous crunch brakes - and the car was not going on the optimal trajectory, and tossed around in spasmodic convulsions. Well, if you do not hurry, just go on winter roads - some of polnoprivodnikov better? Theoretically, the most nimble in our company should be Jaguar or Mercedes - their engines to give out 231 hp But, alas, the X-Type heavier, and to disperse "in the floor» Jaguar as the maximum is not faster than the competition. And at least - less convenient in the management of traction because of the brooding "automatic." Even in the "sport" box stumbles during the transition to lower levels. In a Mercedes "machine" runs slightly faster, but much softer - feel the breed. As a result, manage overclocking fun. A Mode S mersedesovskaya box uses more downshifts and helps to actively engine braking when you reset the gas. Accelerated even more enjoyable Lexus and Audi. Let the motors are slightly weaker, but the six-step "machine" works great - fast switching, on time and quickly. Lexus to pinpoint the moment of change gears at all sometimes you can just jump on the tachometer needle! Yet the leader here - BMW. A powerful engine, saved pounds curb weight, a successful adjustment "automatic" - everything here is done by the mind. As a result, "treshka" sprints in the same breath with any speed gearbox is quick in all modes. There are not enough unless the manual control buttons "automatic" on the steering wheel - as in the Audi or Lexus on. Brakes? They are excellent for all machines. The difference, perhaps, only in the fact that the Audi and BMW pedal quite sensitive - in the city has carefully dosing the effort. A Jaguar, on the contrary, requires a more rough work - pedal "sticky" and goes deeper than expected. On the winter road most acute reactions differ "treshka» BMW. At a speed of 120 km / h is enough just to swing the steering wheel - and the machine is already in the next row. On the track irregularities and asphalt "treshka" also reacts too nervous. Well, that considerable effort on the steering wheel jet helps to keep the car under control. However, at low speeds cake seems too heavy - BMW in the parking lot turns into a strength trainer. If BMW literally imposes an aggressive style of driving, the Audi - the car is not so categorical. On the "quartet" can go fast, enjoying the "transparent" driving and accurate responses to management. You can roll slowly, barely touching the rim steering wheel. Almost as good and Lexus. It is perfectly in line goes willingly into corners, its reaction lack of sharp edges. Rudder albeit not as "clean", as Audi, but due to the car still will not lose. Mercedes in nature like a Lexus (or Lexus - for Mercedes?). The same mild reaction to the administration, the same confident road manners. However, Mercedes keeps his distance - power carefully screens out all the shocks and disturbances that "come" to drive off the road, but it sacrificed informative. More comfort, "feel the car" - is less. Mersedesovsky approach. And the most unintelligible jet action - on the wheel of Jaguar. Bagel too "light" across the speed range. And the suspension can not provide the precision of following the trajectory, which differ in the German machine. It would seem that yaguarovskaya suspension tuned for comfort. But at high speed soft springs and shocks a small buildup of body turns on the waves of asphalt, and low-profile 17-inch tires make the riders feel the small irregularities. But the insulation in the cabin is good - except that the engine in the kick-down mode gromkovat. Mercedes - that's the most quiet and "smooth" the car! Suspension is better than others to cope with our roads, to talk without raising his voice, you can even with heavy overclocking. Lexus for comfort only slightly behind the Mercedes. The interior is almost as quiet, suspension is pleased with their power consumption on country road. But in a city with small irregularities, it can handle worse. No wonder: Lexus «is" low-profile tires on 225/45 R17, a Mercedes - at a high-profile tires 205/55 R16. Audi suspension well balanced - the state of coverage can feel all the time, but do not knock or shake. But the "direct" turbo 2.0 TFSI working stiff. At idle in the body runs a small tremor, and the noise it is stronger than the other four engines are machines. Finally, BMW. This is - sports equipment. Inside, a quiet but hard suspension - body shaking badly on small bumps, and the waves of asphalt BMW too detailed profile follows the road. But when the rate will be over 150 km / h, BMW will be transformed - the car will stick to the pavement and stop noticing irregularities, which other cars start to wobble. Highways, high-speed chassis tuning! All the test is completed. Machine time to give. And so you do not want ... Yet to ride four wheel drive in winter more pleasant than monoprivodnom. Powerful acceleration on any surface, a sense of omnipotence in slippery corners - for it is necessary to give "extra" $ 3000-4000! The only pity is that all-wheel drive in the case of our wards does not mean terrain. For example, Audi body raised above ground by only 122 mm. Jaguar V maximum ground clearance - 148 mm, but no protection crankcase. In general, let alone a storm drifts, and wade through a deep rut - very expensive lesson. If you do not tear yourself away, the beautiful bumper scratch for sure. Yet who is better? Translating all evaluation points, we have identified the two leaders of our test - it's Audi A4 quattro and the Lexus IS250 AWD. Excellent, but different cars. The first allows the driver to realize their ambitions drayverskie, and the second shows an embodiment of the security and peace of mind. Let the Lexus does not effectively go sideways, but the probability of error is less driving. Even on a very slippery road. All-Wheel Drive "treshka» BMW for the "average" driver is still tricky to manage - both on pavement and in slippery conditions. But for the experienced gambler driver BMW - the most interesting car. Mercedes - the exact opposite. Here, comfort above all. The perfect vehicle for those who want to relax behind the wheel. Well, a Jaguar - is Jaguar. Style mostly, and the ergonomics and driving characteristics - a loss. As for the all-wheel drive transmission, the Jaguar is fighting with its competitors on an equal footing. Oh, if instead of an unsuccessful "automatic" was a manual ... But who now buys Jaguar in the "mechanics"? With how much? Audi A4 traditionally accessible classmates. Prices for four-wheel drive vehicles start at $ 39 210 - so much is the base Audi A4 quattro sedan with 163-horsepower turbo engine 1.8T. And we have taken the test a 200-strong A4 2.0 TFSI quattro with the "mechanics" can be purchased for $ 45,110. Extra charge for "automatic" - $ 2400-2600 (depending on version), Avant quattro wagon is more expensive at $ 2700. Version of the A4 3.0 quattro (218 hp, up from $ 52 805) and the A4 3.2 FSI quattro (256 hp, up from $ 58 174) is also available with manual or automatic transmissions. A range of crown-wheel-drive Audi S4 4.2 (V8, 344 hp, up from $ 93 789) and RS4 (V8, 420 hp, up from $ 111 681). It is a pity that the diesel Audi A4 2.0 TDI (140 hp) is sold only in front-wheel version. All-wheel drive BMW third series comes to us from Germany only in complete sets and fixed only with the "automatic", leather trim and Buicks phonons headlights. This BMW 325Xi Business (218 hp) at 45,100 euros ($ 54,480), 258-horsepower BMW 330Xi Dynamic (sportpaket, sunroof, 58,700 euros) and diesel BMW 330Xd Dynamic (60 600 euros). Wagon for 3000 euro more expensive - for example, the price of four-wheel drive BMW 325Xi Touring starts from 48 100 euro. The easiest Jaguar X-Type 2.0 (157 hp) with front-wheel drive and the "mechanics" can be purchased for $ 36,900, but four-wheel drive sedan is more expensive - from $ 44 900 for the X-Type 2.5 Entry (196 hp). This Jaguar is cheaper than the Audi A4 2.0 TFSI, but from the "luxury" options - air conditioning only. For Jaguar X-Type 2.5 Executive (climate control, stability) should be $ 49 900 already, he's a three-liter engine and leather trim for $ 60,900. For "automatic", "Xenon" hatch, and so will have to pay extra separately. For example, a well-equipped Jaguar X-Type 3.0, we have taken the test costs $ 80 674 - more expensive than the other trial participants. Lexus IS250 officially to us is only available with rear-wheel drive, 208-horsepower engine and "automatic", the price - from $ 41,600 to $ 49,700. A four-wheel drive Lexus IS250 AWD can only be found in the "gray" sellers. On our test car went into complete Sport (stiffer suspension, adaptive headlights, leather interior, sunroof) for $ 58 900. And the same car with a navigation system and rearview camera is priced at $ 62,900. Mercedes C-Class with 4Matic all-wheel drive transmissions sold in Russia is only a three-liter V6 engine with 231 hp (S280 4Matic).

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